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Woolworths accused of not accepting competitor’s reusable bags

Supermarkets around the country are still copping backlash from customers over the plastic bag ban.

But there are now claims on social media that people who have brought their own bags are being turned away.

One woman has lashed out at Woolworths on Facebook after claiming her father took his own bags to an NSW store but was told he was unable to use them because “they were branded with a competitor logo”.

She goes on to say that her father paid for five Woolworths bags after staff told him he needed multiple bags to pack items separately – but they failed to inform him about the free bags currently being offered by Woolies.

“There was no mention or offer whatsoever of these so called complimentary bags that are supposedly available until July 8,” she wrote.

“To also tell a customer that you’re unable to pack one item in with another when they’ve said they are OK with it and force them to buy yet another bag for one single item is beyond ridiculous.

“We won’t be shopping at any Woolies any more, we’ll go back to Coles and Aldi where they don’t care whose bag you use as long as you bring it with you.”

Another woman also took to Woolies’ Facebook page to complain about a similar incident, claiming a cashier told her “I won’t use Coles bags”.

“The two bags in question weren’t even Coles bags, they were Best & Less, why does it matter what bags we use as long as they are clean (these two were brand new as only had got them yesterday),” she wrote.

“Very unhappy with the comment.”

But other customers have jumped to the store’s defence, saying they have used different branded bags with no issues at all.

“I went today with Aldi bags no problem,” one person said.

Another added: “Woolworths has been accepting bags from other stores for years. Bringing your own bag is not a new thing. If this story is true, the girl needs to be retrained.”

A Woolworths spokesperson told news.com.au that customers should get in contact with them if they have concerns about bags being refused.

“Customers are welcome to bring any bags they like when shopping at Woolworths, so long as they’re clean and hygienic for our team to handle,” the spokesperson said.